It's Not Over Until the Cucaracha Band Plays

Hola Compadres

(Ann here...Jamie coming later)

This was our final day at "our" clinic! It seemed very special with people even friendlier than ever if that's possible. One of the highlights of the day was the installation of the washing machine. Imagine this scene...some had not seen an automatic washer before and had been doing the clinic wash by hand all these years. As we carried it in, cheers broke out and Viva Canada/Viva Nicaragua and dancing broke out - the cheers were wonderful. Better still was watching and listening to the translation as Andre explained to the women how to do "fine washables."

Some of the final day accomplishments were: the school contingent ran exciting relays for the kids and enjoyed more school visits, especially some of the teachers who had been building all week and were anxious to see the school.

The builders added blocks around the poured and framed windows and roof girders were painted. It's ready for a roof!

The painters completed the green trim on the front of the clinic and completed some finishing touches.

And finally we prepared a hot dog, chips and cake lunch for the clinic staff whose preference is definitely for cake. It is a real treat here, when served, and almost causes stampedes.
I think Jamie will want to add her thoughts about our next highlights.

Hola again, Jamie here

Ann and I have decided that due to the time required to write such a fabulous blog, we are tag teaming in order to get some shower time.

Back to our going away party at the clinic. First off - Mom, you would have hated it because there were hoards of flies eager to get their grubby paws on anything (or anyone). As soon as we even started to say the word 'cake', the employees of the health clinic FLOCKED to the table! Ann and Mary couldn't cut the cake fast enough! We cut them into small pieces as to ensure everyone got a piece, but the staff was still overjoyed with whatever they were given. The cake was delicious; it was still warm from the oven.

After all of the cake was given out, the director of the clinic called us all over to to the front of the crowd. With Samuel's help, she thanked us on behalf of El Viejo from the bottom of her heart. The clinic had also purchased some Nicaraguan souveniers that they gave out to every team member so we wouldn't forget them. I don't know how anyone could forget these people or this country after visiting, souvenier or not.

Then, as it usually does in Nicaragua, the rain came. Our team was just about to load into the vans and head back for Managua, when a cucaracha band appeared and herded us into a building. All of the employees were dancing away (who was running the clinic at this time I have no idea), so naturally we joined in. Much to our regret, after a few songs we had to call it quits. As we filed into the vans, the Nicaraguans piled along the side of the road waving and blowing kisses and thanking us again and again. It was really something special that our team felt as the great warmth of these peoples sincere gratitude surrounded us as we drove away.

The ride back to Managua took about 2 and a half hours. Arriving at Jenny's again was like starting the trip over (although we were much more tired at this point). After a welcomed dinner of Pizza Hut pizza, the members who had done the painting project finished putting together their pictures while we had a final meeting about contingency funds. Our final decision is to leave all of the remaining money with PAN, $2500 going to their Mercy Fund (a fund that helps Nicaraguans in need) and the other $2500 to be kept here in Nicaragua until our meeting early September so we don't rush our decisions and can gain more background information on all of our options.

Well, tomorrow we are off to the resort and everyone is in need of the beach (I also heard they give a mean massage down there...).

Until tomorrow Amigos!

Jamie (and Ann)